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OmniPod® Insulin Management System | User Review

I was asked to give a review of the OmniPod® insulin management system for a Facebook group for parents of children with type 1 diabetes. The group is looking to maintain user reviews for each of the pumps available to help those who are trying to choose one for their child. I am honored to be asked, and happy to oblige.

OmniPod® Insulin Management System UST200

My son, Caleb, is currently 8, was diagnosed shortly before turning 4, and has been using the OmniPod® system for nearly four years.

When we were choosing a pump, the options presented to us were Cozmo, Minimed and Animas. After reviewing each of their features, one did have a stronger appeal than the others, but for the most part I felt that the functionalities of the pumps were all very similar. We just needed to decide which nuances suited our lifestyle and personalities best.

Then a friend told us about a “new” pump – the OmniPod®. The system includes two parts – the handheld PDM (personal diabetes manager) and the insulin pumping Pod. These two devices communicate with each other wirelessly.

The obvious differentiation is its tubelessness. We love that. Though Caleb is always attached to a Pod, he doesn’t have to carry around a larger device on his person.

Caleb can swim and bathe without insulin disruption. He swims daily and at length during the summer. I don’t have to compensate for missed insulin while he swims. Although not advised, he’s also enjoyed our hot tub with no adverse effects.

Caleb can play sports without insulin disruption and without worry of damaging an expensive device. At the ripe old age of 8, there is yet to be a sport where the Pod has been a concern beyond sliding into a base every once in a while. Even then, it’s not a big concern.

He sleeps without worry or even real awareness that he’s wearing a pump.

I can separate the PDM from him. This is extremely helpful when I’m trying to analyze data, download information, change settings or even just bolus him. As the manager of his diabetes, it’s nice to not have to try to physically keep up with him to work the mechanics.

I like that the separation lets me take a small burden off of him. If my carrying the PDM gives even the slightest illusion that diabetes is a little less part of “him” while he’s still young, I’m glad to have it.

Swimming with the Pod

To communicate, the Pod and the PDM must be within a couple feet of each other, but it takes less than a second to establish the connection. For example, Caleb checks his blood sugar and administers his bolus at school before lunch in the nurse’s office. Once he hears the “beep beep” that the message of the bolus has been sent, he’s free to go to the cafeteria and leave his PDM with the nurse even while the bolus is still being delivered.

He has no worries when going to the bathroom.

The tubelessness allows for some discretion. With a Pod hidden under clothing and the PDM appearing cellphonesque, it doesn’t raise too many eyebrows. Discretion is not a major concern of mine, but as Caleb matures, he may feel differently.

Beyond the remoteness…

I love, love, love the auto-insertion. I have never inserted any other pump site, so they all may be just as simple, but I love that the whole change process is so easy that Caleb can even do it himself.

The integrated meter is great. I love the new ZipWick™ strips too – they need very little blood.

I also have great appreciation for the method of bolus delivery. Bolus’ are delivered somewhat slowly – in .05 increments. So if I made a mistake and delivered a bolus for an overstated amount (like the wrong number of carbs), you have a chance to cancel it before too much is delivered. I find that to be a good safety feature.

Baseball and Podding

We were able to acquire a backup PDM when the 2nd generation was released at a relatively low cost. Should something ever happen to his current PDM, we will only have to start up a new Pod with the backup PDM. There’s no worry about going to shots while we wait for a PDM replacement. We have yet to need the backup though (knock wood).

As new generation PDMs are released, upgrading is not an overwhelming financial burden. When the updated Pods are made available, access to them will be as convenient as getting a new shipment of supplies.

There are two things that I think people considering the OmniPod should keep in mind –

You cannot schedule a zero basal rate. When Caleb first started pumping and had a significant sensitivity to insulin (less than 2U TDD per day), it would have been pretty nifty to be able to program a zero basal at certain times. The smallest basal increment is .05 units and alternating a zero and .05 rate in the wee hours of the morning, for example, would have been nice. We worked around it by setting temporary basal rates of zero and his insulin needs grew rather quickly once he started pumping precluding the need for a zero basal. Nevertheless, I’ve always felt that would be a good improvement.

The IOB calculation (insulin on board) considers corrections only; it assumes that meal bolus’ are needed for carbs consumed. Because we have never known any differently, this has never been an issue. I am able to compensate easily with a little division by 2 or 4. However, I do appreciate that having the option of including meal bolus’ in the IOB calculation could be very valuable, particularly when you have become accustomed to using such a tool in your diabetes management.

Today the options have changed a little, but overall I still feel that all the major players, including OmniPod®, generally have the same functionality. Each has its specific strengths with their own appeal. The bigger decision may be whether to pump or not. If you’ve decided that pumping is right for you, then it’s just a matter of test driving the various models available to see what bells and whistles you like most.

I believe your mind, heart and perhaps most of all, your gut will steer you correctly. Only you know what’s best for you.

82 thoughts on “OmniPod® Insulin Management System | User Review”

Great review Lorraine. You hit on all the major points of why we decided the OmniPod was the best pump for Grace. Ever since a year ago, we haven’t looked back. I love everything about it, especially as you mentioned, the auto insertion. Grace is able to completely do a site change herself at age 8. We also liked it because Grace is very active, as Caleb is, and we worried about the tubing getting caught places. That also factored into our decision.
Question – are you using the new Freestyle strips with the ZipQwik? I was told by our OmniPod rep that they haven’t been approved for use in the PDM yet and to wait. It’s been a struggle to get the ‘old’ Freestyle strips – I have 5 boxes on backorder through Abbott right now. Just wondering if you are indeed using the new strips – it appears you are – and what you have found – any changes? Thanks.

Hi Penny!
We have just started using them. Abbot and Insulet are encouraging users to wait for the FDA approval – there is an official statement on their site.

I have heard from several users that they have not had a problem with them in the PDM. I have been testing them – old strip to new strip – new strip in lite meter to new strip in PDM – with no notable difference. I’ve also used the strips in the PDM on myself and nothing unusual showing up there.

I’m comfortable with them, but of course, everyone should decide for themselves.

Great review! I anticipate that when Adam is older, say….in 4 years when this pump warranty is up, we’ll be looking VERY closely at the Omnipod. :) I think when he’s 8, he’ll appreciate the discretion of the pod. And, I’m assuming that by then….they’ll finally have the smaller pods out!

Very interesting! Thanks for the info. I wonder, with my minimed I often turn of the pump for an hour or so durning the night if the boys sugars are borderline low…can you do this with the pod? Thanks!

Meri – thank you so much for asking!
YES! Yes indeed. OmniPod allows you to set a temp basal of zero, or “off” – that’s one of the ways we got through the stomach bug – by turning off his basal several times.
We reduce basal in the middle of the night too when things are “borderline”. :)

We will be looking at pumping systems in about 6 months, so this review is VERY helpful! I haven’t heard ‘the best’ abotu the OmniPod (being big and clunky and in the way) so I really appreciate your review of Caleb in action with his. Maybe by the time Ellie is ready to pump the newer, smaller pods will be available?!

Hi Amy! Whatever you decide, I know it will be an informed decision and therefore perfect!
I have to say, I’ve not heard a user refer to the Pods as big and clunky, though I know a lot of people get that impression. Even when we had our initial consultation with the endo about pumps, OmniPod was not presented and when I suggested it, I was discouraged – the thought being it was too big for his body. It was very new then and Caleb’s endo had no one under the age of twelve using it. Caleb was 4 and about half the size he is now and even then, it didn’t seem big or clunky. Though when it was on his bum it did seem to protrude a bit since that area is already convex. Interestingly enough, after Caleb started and his doctor saw how great he did with it, they began to ask us a lot of questions so they could counsel other patients. It didn’t take long for them to see that the size of it was not an issue.
I’ve worn two of them – one on my belly and one on my arm. The belly one was never in the way for me. I found myself grazing doorways with the one on my arm, but no major mishaps. I would forget it was there until I was showering and then panic for a moment when I felt this “thing” on my arm until I remembered it was the Pod.
Good luck! And please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. :)

Hi lorraine,
My daughter is 3/2 years old, she was diagnosed at 18 months old, and she take 5-6 shots a day, We are considering changing to pump i was comfortable with tube hanging from her, and then i found out about the OmniPod online. I like it the fact that is wireless and easy to use, my question how is it going with your son, and would you recommend for 3 yrs old?

Great review! Ellie has the Omnipod too, I don’t think I could have explained it as well as you have! Hey, the way I’m reading it they are looking to integrate the Dexcom and PDM together…I’m taking it that would eliminate the Dexcom monitor…What is your take on it? I’m not sure I want Ellie having to carry the PDM around on her??? It doesn’t seem as tough as the Dexcom monitor and it is WAY more valuable than the Dexcom monitor. Maybe I’m just use to the way things are now so I’m leary? Actually! I wish they would make the receiver store the information and then when you put the monitor in range, boom all the information pops onto the monitor without having to have it in range all the time. You know they could do that…let me know what your take is on it?! I’m all about the smaller pods…but I would rather have better technology…you know?!

You are correct – the PDM will not only do what it does today, but will also become the DexCom receiver. You can see an example of it in this financial presentation from last January (be sure to flip to the end too ;)).
I agree that the current DexCom receiver is a little smoother and more desirable to carry around. The roundness of it makes all the difference. I’m not particularly worried about the value of the PDM though. I think it would be ok. I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. It would be great not to lose info when out of range and be able to “catch up” when reconnected. And I agree yet again – lol – smaller Pods will be nice, but not life changing. The difference in Pod size would not be a deal breaker for me. If I had to choose, I think I would prioritize other improvements, but Caleb might think differently. I should ask him. His opinion in this matter is probably more important than mine. :)

Awesome! We have a few years until our contract is up but we will seriously look at the OmniPod at that time. I got a “trial” one in the mail and was really surprised at how small it was! And Laura’s Ornapod REALLY got us interested in it! Right now, wearing a pump pouch is not too bad. But eventually… I think it’s a great option that we will consider! Thanks for the awesome review! I really like learning more! Now… If we can just get an integrated CGM! :)

I think this is the best review I’ve ever read of the OmniPod. You really did a fantastic job hitting on all of the points. Awesome job!

I agree that although 1 of the number 1 comments I get online about the OmniPod on Nate is that ‘it looks so big on him’ I don’t think it does at all. He’s 2 – he’s small but still I don’t think it’s that big. When he’s dressed (which isn’t often) you can’t even see it.

I’m so pleased that Nate will have such a great role model in Caleb to look up to!!! :)

I agree with you 100% Lorraine. Kaylie has been pumping with the Pod for just over a year and with great success. Like Caleb she is a very active child and the whole idea of the tubing with the other pumps, just didn’t seem like it would work for her. We have been able to manage her diabetes with pin point accuracy and her A1C has dropped substantially.

We have had a few issues with the pods and PDM, but Insulet was quick to fix these issues with no cost to us. Customer service and tech support has been extremely helpful and always there for us.

Glad to hear that Caleb has had great success with Podding and that others share our views on OmniPod.

Wow Lorraine what a thorough look into Omnipod. I have to say that your videos have been viewed under much scrutiny by my husband as he’s considering switching to Omnipod after 20yrs of MDI. He’s been pretty impressed with Caleb and his ability to do his own site changes. Makes for no excuse with whether or not the hubster could do it. We did want to know if Caleb had any trouble with his skin after sites were removed? TJ had a huge raised circle with a raised rash for about a week after trying out the pod. Just wondering. Thanks again for your insight and those awesome videos!

Hi Sarah,
We have issues with Caleb’s skin and the DexCom adhesive, but never an issue with the OmniPod adhesive. When I remove his Pods, I just treat his skin with Eucerin or Aquafor to prevent dryness. When it gets dry, then the adhesive itches him. But otherwise no issues at all *knock wood*. Caleb has had a couple of Pods that left a raised bump the size of the spot where the insertion was, but it didn’t last. It made me think that there was extra pressure under there or something.

I have no issues with the Omnipod adhesive, but I do with the Dexcom. I get a raised red line on the edge of where the adhesive is. It is quite painful. I now put SkinTac on before applying a Dexcom sensor. As long as I am careful to cover the whole area that the Dexcom will be applied, it provides enough of a barrier that I don’t get the painful red ring. A bit of a tip on the SkinTac, it has Alcohol in it, so it is (in my opinion) a good enough sanitizer to not need alcohol pads. So, I just use the SkinTac, no alcohol before hand. When I use the alcohol plus the SkinTac, I don’t get as good a “stick” and the Dexcom comes off a couple days earlier. With just the SkinTac, I get about 10-12 days out of each Dexcom sensor.

That’s great feedback. I wrote about how we resolved Caleb’s DexCom issues and it’s been an evolving process. Most recently I use a barrier wipe and then soak the adhesive directly with a Skin Tac wipe. That seems to work. I don’t use alcohol to clean the spot either. Thanks for sharing your experience, Mark!

I am sooooooooooo attracted to the pod, I wont lie. We currently use Mini-med and have the integrated CGMS. I LOVE the idea of going tubeless, though… and I desperately want a PDM remote. Especially as Sugar Boy has gotten older the convienience of not having to chase him down to bolus and check his number has become more and more desirable for me.

The IOB thing does scare me a little – I rely on that feature A LOT with our current pump, but I can also see how easy it would be to just do the math yourself and move on.

Over-all you have given me a lot to think about with your post…. and I LOVED the pictures of Caleb! =)

My 10 year old daughter just started on the Omnipod 6 days ago. We have had 2 Pods where we can see blood in the cannula. The first time, we changed the Pod because the Pod also hurt her if she touched it and we called Omnipod and they agreed that we needed to change it. We are still debating about what to do with the 2nd Pod. Her BG numbers have been fine. Have you ever experineced blood in the cannula? Any suggestions? We did “pinch up” durning insertion on her stomach both times.

Ugh! Two more problems with the Pod. My daughter was “rough-housing around” with her friends and a Pod was ripped off from the adhesive tape (but cannula still in her skin). We changed it out (and of course 1 day early – wasted more insulin). Also, we’ve noticed that with sports/high activity, the Pod does okay during the sport but a few hours later she has pain on the insertion site if she touches the Pod. I’m thinking maybe the Pod shifts a little during the activity. Do people ever put some type of adveshive tape around the ENTIRE Pod to secure it in place better? She still will only use her stomach – I’m trying to talk her into other sites but she’s afraid. It has been 9 days on the Pod and we have been through 5 Pods and wasted way too much insulin! We are both getting very frustrated and tearful. I emailed our Omnipod sales rep tonight to see if she can help us with any suggestions. If you have any, let me know! Thanks,
Jan

We actually use the self-stick bandage at times because my son hates adhesive and tape…I would explain to her that she probably isn’t going to have any pain putting it on her leg or behind and there’s alot of cushion there, my son refuses to put it on his stomach and much prefers his legs.

Hi everyone! I was hoping you could give me real life advise about using Omnipod on toddlers. My son is 15 months old and need a pump. We live in the UK where Omnipod is not at all common. Our diabetic team is not too keen on it /happy about me wanting to use it. They not sure if it is suitable for such young children. What is your experiance?
Many thanks,
Judit

. My son (18, diagnosed a month before his 16th BD ) has been using the Omnipod since May 2010. He has never used any other pump. The site of attachment gets raw and irritated from him scratching due to the area itching. He is using Allkare wipes before attaching the pod, which helps with irritation, but discovers that the needle has come out of his skin when he takes his blood and it’s 300. It’s a catch 22 scenario. Help!!! Any advice would be appreciated.
Madeline

Are the areas that he’s using being rotated? I’m not sure what you are referring to regarding the needle, it only injects the tube and then retracts. I do understand the high number as I have had it myself and just think it is probably because the insulin doesn’t get into their system right away sometimes, because after about an hour my son comes back down to normal range. Hope it gets better for you.

I am so thankful to have the option of the Omnipod available. My son refused to do a pump and we didn’t know about the Omnipod until we went to a convention. I asked him for about a year if he would be willing to try it and he was still against it, but I asked the diabetic educator about it and I’m so glad that I did. They let him just wear one to see if he would like it, and he was very excited about it. Then we did the trial and he was adamant he wanted to change to it. At the time he was getting five shots a day and we were dealing with scar tissue. We have had it for about 8 months, he’s 8 years old and I couldn’t imagine doing it any differently. The doctors office was not supportive of our decision-they have not taken the time to get to know the system or equipment, thankfully I learn easily and quickly on my own…. and we were continuously told it would probably not be covered on insurance and while we have struggled to get through the red tape always involved in a child needing medical supplies, I wouldn’t have it any other way and neither would my son.

My son in 2 years old and we are looking into putting him on a pump. We are very interested in the omnipod. Was wondering if there was anyone with a little one who has any advise or positives and negatives to having the omnipod with such a little one?

I have been a diabetic since I was 18 mos old. I started out with glass syringes that my parents had to boil. Then it had to be put together. A blue plunger that was inserted into the glas syringe that had numbers printed on the side. A metal needle that was then attached to the top of the syringe. We used NPH U40 insulin then,it was a cloudy appearance and slower to act than regular insulin(also known as “clear” insulin).

There was one major problem with the glass syringes. My Aunt lives in New Jersey and we used to visit every summer. It seemed like an endless ride. We would get up the next morning and my mother would put the syringe into the water and boil it. There had to be some chemical in the water,because every time we went there the syringe jammed,my father took me to the emergency room to get a dose of insulin and back to Boston we went.
The numbers on the Omni Pod have to be changed from disposable numbers Pod A 9274 and PDME 0784.
My Congressperson David CicIlline and the people in his office are working on having the Code Numbers changed,they are also working with Medicare to have the Omni Pod covered.

There is one problem that presently exist with the Omni Pod. I am on Medicare and it literally takes an Act of Congress to have the Code Numbers changed. Presently they are Pod A 9274 and PDME 0784. Medicare can’t cover the POD because it is disposable

The Omni Pod is a blessing. Of course there is one issue the US Congress gave the Omni Pod and the PDM code numbers that make it a disposable item. The numbers are Pod A 9274 and PDME 0784,therefore it is not covered by Medicare. My Congressperson and David Gregory from MSNBC are working on having the Code numbers changed to make the Omni Pod a durable item. Now I understand the real meaning of “An Act of Congress.” I have been working on having the Code Numbers changed for well over a year,but of course I’m not someone who is wealthy and

Hello Liana!
I have to say we have never, ever come even close to losing Caleb’s PDM. The only time in over four years of use I’ve ever left it anywhere was once at the endo office! Luckily they knew the importance of it. That said, I was always worried something would go wrong with a PDM and we would have to go on shots until a replacement was delivered. If, however, a PDM errored and required replacement, it’s quite possible that you would have some life left on the Pod and the basal will continue to deliver. Meals and corrections would require injections though. I was more worried about figuring out Lantus dosing. But there are PDM errors that stop basal delivery too and thus require an immediate Pod change.
We went for, hmmm, at least a year with just one PDM. At the time we were waiting for the release of the 2nd generation. When that came out, we upgraded (I think it was $150 for a limited time) and we have had two PDMs ever since. Though I have never needed the backup (knock on wood).
I’m not sure how much a new one is out of pocket, but I’ve heard $500 thrown around.

My daughter is 23 years old and just “celebrated” her 10th anniversery as a diabetic. She is using the insulin pen, but her A1C has been up around 8 since she went to college. She was on a pump for several years but got weary of being attached to the device…the tubing etc. Her doctor would like her to go back to a pump. This one might be the only one she would consider. Most of the the reviews are for little children. Anybody older who really likes it or really hates it? It still seems like it would get in the way.

I would like to be emailed those same reviews. I was just diagnosed Type 2 at the beginning of last November and by the end of November I started insulin. The doc just took me off oral meds and is now treating me just with insulin. I have 3 (meal) shots a day now, soon to be 4 or 5. Just wondering for the future…. I have titanium rods in my back, and I don’t mind them too much, but attaching something to my body on the outside, and I’m sorry but the pod still looks big and bulky in pics…they need some micro-invention there… I’m 41 and not only want the device not seen, but to be comfortable…and with the bulk of it…I’m not sold.

I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when I was 12 years old which is now 40 years ago, so I have been on many different insulin regimens. I have never had a pump and did not want one because I did not want to worry about a line getting caught in clothing plus always have to figure out the best/easiest way to carry a pump wtih me at all times; additionally, I am a woman and did not want to be tied to wearing certain clothes to accomodate the line and pump. I am a long distance runner and the whole idea was very unappealing – even though I always carry a small pouch with my little meter and GU for blood sugar lows, I would have had to get a larger pouch to also carry a pump. My endo is stuck on the minimed pump and very strongly pushed a pump for me due to my active lifestyle. I am sure the minimed is good but fortunately for me, his assistant (also a woman :)) suggested the Omnipod. I love it! My blood sugars have been at a consistent level for the 4 weeks I have had the pump. I leave it at home when I go out for a run (great) and not having to leave the dinner table to take a shot is wonderful! I travel 5x/year for work and using the pump at a restuarant or on a plane is discreet (people think it is a phone) and sooo easy. I am looking forward to a smaller pod and have liked some placements on my body better than others but overall, I am more pleased than I imagined I would be.

What a wonderful success story! Thank you for sharing it. Caleb himself is just starting to run. He uses a spibelt to carry his Gu and DexCom. :) I hope it continues to go well with you, Gail. We’re looking forward to the smaller Pods too!

Hi. My 8yr old daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with diabetes 3 weeks ago. Our heads are still spinning as we try to process what is happening to her and as we try to learn all there is to know. We are just beginning pump research as suggested by her endo at her follow up appt a few days ago. She is very much looking forward to getting one.

The Omnipod stands out to me mostly because I am such a wimp when it comes to needles. The insertion of any other pump makes my stomach turn! Can anyone tell me if the continuous monitoring feature has yet been made available? It’s a huge selling point – especially the pump that has the alarm feature so we wouldn’t have to wake her at night to check.

Also, can you tell me the Facebook group you reference in your intro? I would love to find a group of people to turn to for all of this. Thanks. I am so happy to have found your review. Nobody I’ve met has used the omnipod, but we were automatically drawn to it. I wonder why it seems less “popular”…

hi there i hae just put my son (hes 15 1/2) on the omni pod and so far we havent had very good luck sad to say :(. Any suggestion would be helpful here…he is avid swimmer but when he swims everytime it falls off, so irratating to him and me (loss of insulin). He is now wanting to stop evenwaering the thing grrr! I would just really like great info on what maybe we are doing wrong to keep this on him while swimming o and by the way he likes to wear on his arm (im thinking that is the down fall). Please also tell me as well the facebook group you refernce to as well would love to have somewhere to go to…thank you!

is it pulling off because the adhesive is not sticking? If so, either clean his skin better with alcohol or apply Skin-Tac before putting it on. If it is being ripped off, (adhesive still sticking, but pod ripped off the backing) then you are sticking it in the wrong place (wrong for him). Try putting it somewhere else.

also anita you can draw the left over insulin out of the pod and insert it into the viral bottle and then draw it out of the bottle for the new pod insertion..just be sure to get all the air out.. noone will tell you to do that…but u can!

I am looking into trying this out and you did a nice job reviewing this product. I have one question, can you remove the omnipod or any insulin pump for that matter before exercising? example, if you were doing some boxing or judo, where there would be far greater contact and possibility of the pump shifting or coming off during exercise. will removing the pump prior to exercise cause any problems? I’m new at this and any feedback would be great

Hi Mark! For tubed pumps, you can disconnect easily. I might get these terms wrong because we’ve never used a tubed pump, but hopefully you’ll get the idea. When you insert the cannula for a tubed pump, that inset is taped to your body and you can connect and disconnect the tube. Here’s a picture. The taped part is attached to you and the circle part at the end of the tube clicks in and out. If out you have no insulin deliver, but you can do contact sport without worry of damage to your pump, although if rough enough, you may have to replace the infusion set. For OmniPod, you cannot do that. Once the pump is on you, there is no ability to disconnect and reconnect. There are various ways that people handle this. I know of a young man who plays football and he chooses to take off his Pod for his game and start a new one after it. It’s similar to inserting a new infusion set, except you are replacing the entire Pod, insulin and all. I know of hockey players who place their Pods strategically under their gear with success. I also know a young man who plays soccer and would disconnect from his pump but have trouble with bgs because of the lost basal insulin. He was able to employ an “un-tethered” approach where he administered half his insulin via lantus injection and half via basal for the pump. He had great success with that. So, there are a lot of things to consider any many approaches to pick from. Your doctor (and your gut) can help you decide on the best one for you. :)

I was researching around on Google and I just wanted to take some time to thank you for your informative review. I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for 10 years now, and am currently looking into the idea of using a pump (I’ve only ever used pens or syringes). I’m still considering different pumps available, but I’ve been interested in the Omnipod for a while now. Thank you for the helpful review. :)

Lorraine. First thank you for sharing your famiy experiences. Caleb is a true blessing and an amazing young man. My wife Beverly and I are new to diabetes, about 2 years with our daughter Sydney who was diagnosed with T1D at 18 months. Sydney is 41/2 now and has started school only half days now, but full days next year. We have done some research, but we learn about new technology everyday. We have been talking and negoitiating with our insurance company over the OmniPod with some success. Managing Sydney’s sugar at a constant sustained rate is what we are looking for. We also have a need to monitoring Sydney’s blood sugar while she is sleeping, at school, or other location where we do not have control. We only trust one person with Sydney under our present management system. Can you give us your feedback on how the OmniPod will allow us to feel comfortable to have other people, family, school and friends manage her blood sugar? We feel like you that all pumps are relatively the same. Cost and insurance coverage also have been addressed. We would like to know does the Omni have the ability to monitored by the internet or line of site? If so are there any other devices, hardware or software we should considered. Thanks Lorraine. Scott and Sydney

Lorraine,
My son is in his third week of using the Omnipod! So far, so good! However..(ugh) we are having trouble wearing it while swimming. I was told from the pump educators to try athletic tape to keep it in place. This works well as long as it is on his arm. When the pod is on his lower back/bum area we are having trouble. Either it comes off totally or we get an occlusion alarm. There are several adhesives listed on Omnipods website. I have ordered Mastisol at our local CVS. The spray is $85 and the tacky formula is $35. I ordered the tacky! It should be ready tomorrow.
Please let me know if you have any advice. We are leaving for our summer vacation this Saturday and I’m hoping for a solution!
Thanks,
Heather

I’m not sure what to say about the occlusions – hm. When Caleb started, there were spots that just weren’t conducive to him. We settled on the areas that worked and have used them ever since. I wonder if you’ve noticed whether the cannula is kinked for any that occlude? Maybe the way he moves or sits or something is just not working with those spots? Skin Tac is another good option for adhesives. I use it for DexCom – I soak the adhesive with a Skin Tac wipe and let it dry before applying and it helps. If it starts to peel up, I reinforce with Flexifix tape. Good luck!

Hi
Thanks for sharing caleb’s story. Im from the Netherlands and my son (9) is diagnosed with type 1 3 weeks ago. I want him to use a pomp. The diabetic nurse at the hospital has told us that the pods can leave bumps in the skin, less fat tissue on places where the pod was attached. She had told us that she is not exided about this system. Im verry dissaponted because I would like my son to have a omnipod. Does anybody reckonize loosing fat tissue on pod places?

This is a concept that is unfamiliar to me. I have heard from users that the scarring from OmniPod is less than that of traditional pumps. I cannot say since Caleb has only used OmniPod.

Caleb has been using it for more than six years. He uses the same four general areas and does not have any bumps after six years of use. I believe any site that is overused can develop scar tissue – this is not specific to a particular pump site. We make an effort to not only rotate between the four general areas on his body that we use, but also move around within each of these four areas so that each site has a change to heal properly. I find that to be very key. We even kept a log book for a period of time – i.e.” “left abdomen, pointing in and upward”, so that we were certain not to overuse any particular area.

I would investigate this nurse’s claim further as I it is not something I have heard before.

I have been on omnipod since Dec 2012. I have been on minimed for 12 years. Omnipod has got to be the worst insulin pump!!!! The pods don’t stick. I most change pod every day. I give a bolus and it deactivates itself. I call costumer service and that is like talking to the wall. They don’t know anything but we are so sorry for your problem. Well why don’t the just fix the problems. My Dr is writing a letter to my insurance to get me back on minimed. I can’t wait to go back to them. My blood sugars have been off the charts with omnipod too. The only good thing about omnipod is that it is tubeless. Otherwise omnipod is junk!!!!!!!

I’m sorry to hear you have had such an unfortunate experience. Ours is very different. More than six years and we are very happy with how well we are able to manage Caleb’s diabetes with the system. I hope you are able to get back into a routine that works for you! Best wishes.

I am 23, diagnosed with diabetes at age 6. I was previously on the accucheck spirit, before the wireless technology came out. I absolutely hated it. the sites hurt horribly, putting them in, healing, insulin boluses, etc. What is Caleb’s ‘take’ or rate on the pain and feeling of the omnipod? I have been off my old pump for about 5 years now, taking traditional shots, and am doing my research to determine which new pump may help my management. However, I’m greatly concerned with the ‘hurt’ factor – insertion, if you bump the pod, etc. Looking forward to hearing the response, Thank you!

Caleb has been using OmniPod for over six years. He started when he was four. He is now 10. Insertions were much more of an issue when he was younger. As a ten year old his tolerance and perspective of pain is much different. There are two times when there is pain: 1) insertion – based upon what Caleb has explained, I would compare this to a strong fingerstick. It’s a pinch, but he rarely flinches for it. There are some that are in places that seem to be zingers – but they are rare, 2) extremely rare case where the cannula must just be in an awkward spot and it bothers him. When this happens, and it’s happened maybe once a year, we change it. The insertion otherwise does not bother him at all and there is no pain whatsoever when he boluses. I just asked him: “It’s hard to rate the pain because I’m just so used to it. It varies in range from 4 to 7 on a scale of 10.” This is only about insertion. It does not hurt otherwise…”sometimes some Pods hurt, but not normally.” So there you have it! I hope that helps! Good luck

Not falling off – the exception being one time when we put on a new Pod and he went right in the pool before the adhesive had a change to cure and it slid right off. Oh and we have lost one or two to excessive sweat – lol. We were trained to prep the site with IV Prep, but found that the adhesive would pull away after a day. We prep the site with just alcohol and have no trouble with adhesion.

Working correctly? We don’t have issues there. We do have an occasional error, and with the older Pod found we had the occasional kink obstructing insulin delivery, but not so much with the smaller Pods.